According to Janes, Kelley is headed for a new medical check-up today. It’s possible he could receive an injection, she notes, but the approach is yet to be decided.

As things stand, then, it’s uncertain when the Nats can expect Kelley back in action. Even if he’s able to resume throwing in relatively short order, it may be optimistic to expect he could rebuild strength, complete a rehab stint, and return to the majors to show the team his form before the trade deadline.

The injury questions only enhance the broader concern with Kelley, who had been a major contributor in 2016 and is under contract through next year. In his 18 innings this season, he has allowed 14 earned runs — due in no small part to the fact that he has allowed nine homers already (matching a career high).

Though he is still checking in with a robust 15.0% swinging-strike rate on the year, Kelley carries a career-worst 4.5 BB/9. And opposing hitters are squaring him up at a prodigious rate when they do make contact, with a 46.4% hard-hit rate and 26.5% HR/FB.

As the Nats continue to peruse the market for relief pitching, then, the organization will need to account for the fact that it cannot firmly count on two key righties, Kelley and Koda Glover. With Blake Treinen and (especially) Joe Blanton also failing to deliver consistent results, surprising journeyman Matt Albers stands as the lone steady righty in the Nationals’ pen. While adding a closer remains an obvious focus, the need for a quality right-handed setup option at the deadline seems greater now than ever.

It’s a screaming need that won’t go away until they acquire a PROVEN, EFFECTIVE closer. It’s painful watching the 9th each and every game. Nats haven’t had a closer all year. Ownership needs to either allow Rizzo to get one, or start selling because the current act won’t get them past the first round.

Well considering preller rejected a jorge mateo package for kimbrel, gyorko, and cash from the yankees during the deadline and got margot allen asjuae and guerra during the off season safe to say I’ll be happy when the padres finally deal Hand cause Preller holds all the cards.

Oh? Teams don’t want to offer what Preller wants? No problen- keep Hand and trade him during the off season like Kimbrel. When their bullpens implode during the playoffs I am sure Preller will be the first to call them up about Hand to discuss a trade during the off season.

Hand has 2 1/2 years of control left. Preller isnt in any rush to trade Hand.

So you’re saying if Preller doesn’t like a deal he has to trade hand? Weird cause here I was thinking if Preller doesn’t like a deal during the deadline he can hold on to hand who has 2 more years of control and work a trade he does like out with more teams during the offseason who have plans to compete in 2018.

I’m not saying he won’t be in demand. I’m not saying he won’t bring back some nice prospects. I’m not saying Preller will give him away for scraps.
I’m saying if you think the Pads are getting anything close to that you will be very disappointed.

Top 100 prospect and other pieces is what its gonna take to land hand. Could wind up being just fedde kieboom or fedde kieboom watson from the nats.

Top relief pitching is expensive. If the Nats wont meet the asking price other teams have assets. Astros Yankees Nats Indians Dbacks Dodgers Rockies Cubs Red Sox all have need for relief pitching. And when you factor in 2018 off season teams like the Mariners, Braves, Rangers you just created 11 teams bidding for arguably the best reliever on the market given his salary and ability to go 1+ innings and 2 years of team control.

Preller may not be in any rush to trade Hand, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be. Hand is doing great, but the Padres are no where close to needing his talents. And relievers are notorious for volatile assets. So, sure Preller might get a better deal later or he with nothing like the Royals got with Soria.

A trade with the White Sox for the duo of Robertson/Kahnle makes so much sense. It would be costly but the Nationals would shorten the game considerably for their starters.

Why would the White Sox trade Kahnle?
1. relievers are the most volatile asset in baseball
2. this is year 1 of the rebuild. Moncada isn’t guaranteed to be a star, Anderson is in a sophmore slump, Rodon had a MAJOR hiccup this season……the White Sox are not close to contention. 2020 would be the earliest to contention and that still seems unlikely.
3. I imagine his trade value is sky high. production plus control both look very appealing.

I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if they end up trading away Robles for a package of relievers. He’s not untouchable, nor would it be a terrible idea given how talented this current Nationals team is. Fix the bullpen and you have one of the most complete teams in baseball and a legitimate WS contender.